“W hen did you get so beautiful?” Doug asked with a slight slur. If I was smarter, I’d be figuring out an exit strategy. “Jesus. Look at you .”

I swallowed hard. God help me, I couldn’t stop staring at his lips .

Doug lowered his head. “Shit. Goddammit, I’m sorry Lissa. I shouldn’t have said that. You’re just so fucking hot, and I guess I hadn’t realized it until now .”

“Thanks, Doug,” I said, breathing heavily. He was insanely hot too, and I needed to get myself under control. No matter how much I was drawn to him, nothing could ever happen between us. My brother would go ballistic .

I stepped away from Doug and peered inside the house to make sure my brother hadn’t returned. I flashed him a smile and a little wave as I turned toward the house .

“Fuck!” Doug muttered. “Lissa, wait !”

“Yeah?”

“I’m sorry I’m being an asshole. It’s the alcohol, you know ?”

My lips formed a thin smile. “I know .”

Even I could hear the disappointment in my words. The only reason he was telling me I was beautiful was because he’d had too much to drink .

“Fuuuuck! I just keep making this worse.” Doug sucked down what was left in his bottle and chucked it towards the middle of the yard. I glared at him, but he seemed oblivious. This was not typical Doug behavior. Maybe he had more to drink than I’d originally thought .

“Seriously, don’t worry about it. No one thinks I’m pretty unless they’ve had some booze in them, I’m used to it. The only guys that ever show interest in me are the ones that are drunk and think they can get any easy lay. Yeah, well, not with me!” I said, clenching my fists, completely aware of how annoying I sounded. But I couldn’t help it. Every past relationship came flooding back. I was frustrated with them, not Doug .

“Are you fucking kidding me ?”

I narrowed my eyes at him. “No, I’m just being — ”

“Jesus, Lissa, you’re fucking hot no matter how much I’ve had to drink. I mean, I used to think you were cute, but seeing you tonight, well, I saw you differently for the first time. You’re not just Cal’s little sister .”

I shrugged. “I’m still Cal’s little sister .”

“Yeah.” Doug sighed. “Those other guys were probably just drinking so they could build up some confidence. They probably found it hard to approach someone so beautiful. I mean, come on! Look at you !”

He reached over and twirled the ends of my hair between his fingertips. When let go, it fell down over my breast and his eyes followed .

“You have such long, soft hair, and a brightness in your eyes as if you’re seeing the world for the first time. And your lips… your perfect….” He stopped talking .

I wanted him to kiss me more than anything. I wanted him to touch me so desperately .

He took a step closer narrowing the gap between us. Our bodies were so close I could feel his warmth, and I could smell the beer on his breath .

Doug reached out and touched my shoulder, letting his hand slide down my arm. My body warmed and tingled everywhere. He paused, before wrapping his arm around my waist and pulling me so close our bodies touched. I was hyper aware of where my breasts where resting against his chest .

My breath was caught in my throat. I was motionless… and confused .

He placed his hand on my back and guided me away from the house. He stopped once we were out of view .

It was so dark where he’d taken me that I could barely see anything except for his sparkling eyes. Doug glanced over his shoulder and when he turned back towards me, he slid his hands on either side of my face. He tilted my head so I was forced to look up at him .

“I can’t believe I’m going to do this, but I need to,” he said, softly .

Before I knew what was happening he pressed his lips to mine. Our mouths moving feverishly against one another .

His lips were softer than I had imagined. Our tongues glided perfectly against one another. I felt as though I could not get enough .

Doug’s lips moved to my chin and then hungrily down my neck. He slid his hand around my waist and pulled me closer. Our bodies were so close I could feel his erection pressing against my lower stomach .

I had a sudden urge to reach and feel his cock, but I resisted. I held back, or rather, I came to my senses .

“Wait,” I said, stepping a few inches back. When I saw the fire in his eyes, I leaned forward and kissed him again. He pressed his mouth hard against mine, probably in an attempt to silence me. Maybe he already could sense what I was about to say, and I’d imagine somewhere inside, he knew we couldn’t continue. I stepped back further. “Doug, I can’t .